Jacqueline's Jewelry: An Inspirational Story From Tobago

Observing the development of an individual, a family, a business over 15 years has indeed been an inspiration.  Jacqueline was first introduced to us as a nervous but enthusiastic person with product over her arm to sell.  Discovering her situation:  five children, husband who worked for THA (Tobago House of Assembly) living in very humble circumstances (no running water, no electricity, no transport, land not tenured) was humbling.  We talked about possibilities.  Bingy, Jacqueline’s husband collected seeds from the rain forest and shells from the shore.  With these, they made simple jewelry.  They also tie dyed shirts and did some hand painting of t-shirts.  One night, we went to a hotel where a pan band played.  We set up a table near the band but the music was loud and people did not venture near.  The next week we returned and set up in the parking lot near the entrance.  Jacqueline began selling that night and has not stopped since! 

 

Watching her emerge has been amazing.  No electricity.  We helped her write the letters required to secure the land where they had lived for many years.  Once that was done, they were able to apply for electricity.  That required buying a pole.  $800 Canadian if I remember correctly.  The Rotary Club of Truro said they would pay for this.  This allowed the children to study in the evening, to not have to light the kerosene lamp (dangerous for the children to do)! 

 

Jewelry sales were increasing.  Jacqueline was careful to invest in materials while taking a percentage of her earnings to help with household expenses.  Jacqueline and Bingy were resourceful!  When Turtle Beach said they could come to the hotel to display their jewelry, they told them they would have to bring their own table.  They went to the dump, found two old ironing boards and built a folding table.  Next, they built a car from used parts!  Then a pump and tanks for water.  Her dream to have a table where everyone could sit down together has been realized.  They slowly added a kitchen, a washing machine that could think but always putting children and their education first.

 

One year, when visiting, we helped Jacqueline do a write up to acquaint another hotel with her product line with a request for her to come to the Grand Courland to set up a table.  Demand has grown.  She has a busy schedule: Turtle Beach Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sandy Point Beach Resort, Grand Courland, the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort (formerly the Hilton) Castara plus she has opened a shop at ‘Sunday School’ in Bocco (a popular Sunday Evening spot where they have a pan band, barbeque and goat races at Easter!) 

 

Visiting her family was an experience.  Their home is a hive of activity.  Their little grandson, age 7, greets us and says, ‘Here to see Jacqueline?  Come this way!’  What a dynamic family.  It was Joshua’s 25^th Birthday.  The music is cranked and they have been to Scarborough to buy a cake.  Bingy has made a big pot of soup (stew) and everyone is taking a big container for lunch! 

 

Near the road is a shelter where their son, a mechanic, has a shop.  The yard is filled with cars under active repair.  The next son up is in Denmark in his second year of Architecture.  Although his tuition is covered and he is working part time, money is being sent to help him with his expenses.  The youngest son has finished high school and completed paramedic training for ambulance work in Trinidad.  He took his chauffeurs’ license needed to make application for working on the ambulance.  He is now working.   A room has been added on for Jamie, the younger daughter who is in her seventh year of teaching Grade 1!  Jamelia, the oldest daughter studied International Finance and Trade in England.  She has had a number of scholarships but Jacqueline and Bingy have helped her complete her CA in Barbados.  She is now taking her PHd in Holland.

 

The whole family reflects Jacqueline’s bright spirit, creativity and motivation.  An unusual situation has been most helpful for the family.  Jacqueline was born in England and came to Trinidad when she was three months old.  She had no problem receiving her British passport.  With encouragement from her many friends whom she has met over the years through her business, she decided to take a trip to England.  The trip was wonderful.  She says she was treated like a queen!  Bingy, meantime, did his best to cover all the resorts! 

 

Now, the problem arose when Jacqueline came back to Trinidad/Tobago.  Where is your passport for Trinidad/Tobago immigration wanted to know.  None?  So you are a British citizen.  ‘But I have been married 27 years and have had 5 children in Tobago and have lived all my life here.’  They finally stamped her passport ‘VISITOR’!  Since, she has been working on getting a passport for Trinidad/Tobago.  Her father, whom she has never known, was Trinidadian.  That would be helpful but all lineage is traced through the mother so she now has to find her father’s mother’s records but the building that housed them burned, destroying the records.  Knowing Jacqueline, she will find a way to solve this problem but meantime the problem is serving to help her children.  Tuition for education in Britain and Denmark is free for British citizens and because Jacqueline was born in Britain, two of her children to this point have and will benefit from her British citizenship. 

 

As Jacqueline sits briefly recounting this, she shakes her head and says, ‘We came from very humble beginnings.’  What a success story!  Should any of you plan a trip to Tobago, be sure to look for Jacqueline.  She is a person whom you will never forget.  

 

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